It is considered that the
fastest the human heart can beat without extreme danger is 220
beats per minute.

In order to establish your
particular fitness index (the low and high rates needed for safe
and effective aerobic exercise) we start with this number 220
from which we deduct your present age, which we can state hypothetically
to be 50:

220 ­ 50= 170

From this number we also deduct
your resting morning pulse rate. For three successive mornings,
check your pulse on waking ­ before getting out of bed or
eating or drinking anything, even water.

Let us say this rate is 70:

170 ­ 70 =100

We now need to establish what
60 per cent and 80 per cent of this final figure are:

60 per cent of 100 =60

80 per cent of 100 = 80

To these two figures we add
back your morning pulse rate, giving us:

60 + 70 = 130

80 + 70= 150

These are the figures of your
current aerobic fitness index if
you are 50 years old and if your morning resting pulse is 70.

In order to achieve benefit
to your cardiovascular system you need to get your pulse rate
above 130 and maintain it there for not less than 20, and ideally
30, minutes three times per week with no more than a day between
each aerobic effort.

If, however, your pulse rate
were to exceed 150 during these efforts you would be in danger
of stressing the heart.

It is best to check the pulse
rate for 15 seconds every 5 to 7 minutes during exercise (and
to multiply by 4 for the rate per minute) and thereafter, if
necessary, to increase the amount of effort or speed of effort
(if the rate was below the lower figure) or to slow down if it was
above the higher figure.

When you have been performing
aerobic exercises for some weeks it is a good idea to recheck
the morning pulse rate, for as you get fitter this will slow
down, giving you a new set of aerobic index figures (obviously
this also alters as you get older).

ExampleDr Cooper (1980) gives examples
of general exercise such as walking (undoubtedly the safest after
swimming), in which a moderate level of fitness would be achieved
progressively over a 16­week period. This is based on walking
a specific distance in a particular time, which gradually gets
shorter, requiring more effort. Each of the times/distances listed
is meant to be walked not less than five times in any given week.

In week 1, a mile (1.6 km)
is walked in 15 minutes (5 times in the week).

Thereafter this last timing
and distance, using the pulse rate to monitor whether enough
effort is being used to maintain fitness.

If anyone were starting this
16­week programme from a position of relatively poor fitness
the times given for each distance would be used as a guide only
and the pulse would be taken several times during the walk to
see whether speed of walking was enough to achieve the lower
figure on the aerobic fitness index (if not, walking faster is
called for), or if it was above the higher figure, in which case
slowing down would be the obvious move.

Aerobic exercise, ideally
accompanied by gentle stretching exercises to warm up and with
a degree of gentle movement to 'warm down' is safe and effective
in enhancing chelation therapy or for enhancing cardiovascular
function on its own.

Always check with your physician/health
adviser before starting new forms of exercise.

And what of the mind?

Cardiovascular ill­health
has long been linked with the effects of stress and anxiety.
It should go without saying that the mind and body are a unit
and that unless those negative factors arising out of poor stress­coping
strategies or negative emotions are dealt with, a complete degree
of recovery of cardiovascular (or any other area of)
health is unlikely. Exercise itself has powerful beneficial effects on the mind and
emotions. Along with nutritional and aerobic efforts, it is suggested
that efforts be directed towards stress reduction using the extensive
knowledge now available as to the value of regularly employed
relaxation and meditation methods.

Smoking

Smoking of any sort imposes
unbearable strain on cardiovascular function. It increases the
body level of cadmium (a highly toxic heavy metal) appreciably
and is a major cause of free radical activity. It reduces necessary
oxygen intake and is probably the single greatest underlying
life­style habit which contributes to and/or aggravates
disease of the heart and circulatory system. It is plainly an
indefensible habit and those physicians who simply refuse to
treat patients with such health problems until they stop smoking
are a growing band. Anyone having chelation therapy and who continues
to smoke is plainly afflicted by a death wish.

Disclaimer: The information provided on HealthWorld Online is for educational purposes only and IS NOT intended as a substitute for
professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek professional medical advice from your physician or other qualified
healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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